BILL ANALYSIS
By: Uresti
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Currently, pediatric dental assistants are permitted to apply a pit and fissure sealant if a licensed dentist delegates them to do so; but only if the delegating dentist is a Medicaid provider or practices in an area determined to be underserved. SB 692 expands the demographic areas where the dentist practices will improve access to care.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
SB 692 authorizes a licensed dentist to delegate the performance of coronal polishing to a dental assistant who is certified under the Coronal Polishing and Pit and Fissure Sealant Certificate (certificate). SB 692 adds the performance of coronal polishing to the activities a dental assistant, who is not professionally licensed, may perform if the dental assistant holds a certificate. The bill deletes language limiting the authorization to dentists who are a Medicaid provider or who work in an area designated as underserved by the Texas Department of Health (TDH).
SB 692 changes the title of Section 265.004 to CORONAL POLISHING AND PIT AND FISSURE SEALANT CERTIFICATE. The bill requires the State Board of Dental Examiners to issue a certificate to qualifying dental assistants, decreases the minimum number of hours in clinical and didactic education activities from 16 to 12 hours, and adds coronal polishing to the required education.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.